Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-09

The new CIVIL service regulations profess 20 be
made under the authority OF that clause OF the civil
service rules which ordains that there shall be- so
far as practicable and useful examinations Of
suitable character TO test the fitness OF persons for
promotion in the service, and empowers the CON-
mission 70 make regulations under which exani-
nations for promotion shall be conducted and all
promotions made; and in accordance with the
terms OF this clause the new rules are en-
titled Regulations for promotion in the classified
departmental service" The evil to be met was
that OF unjust promotions In the absence OF exam
nations due TO "iDportulate solicitations and CO.
ercive influence from the outside and prejudice
favoritism or corruption on the part OF the ap-
pointing officers" So far as the new regulations
provide competitive examinations suitable to test
ntness for promotion, they not criticised In ad
vance, but the result OF experiment Is awaited.
The power conferred upon the head OF the bureau
or department TO mark for efficiency gives expe-
Renee some consideration In making promotions;
and the regulations may In regard to promotions
work well The Objectionable feature Of the new
rules Is that which fasifes the title under which
1t figures, and the authority under which it pre-
tends to be made by providing examinations, not
10 ascertain fitness for promotion, but to furnish
ground for reduction in class or dismissal from the
service III IL is intended that the clerks now en-
ployed by the government, who perform their
duties so well that they cannot be displaced for
inefciency, are to hold their places at the mercy
OF examiners on miscellaneous topics that rule
should be promulgated with responsibility and
that position openly taken. The provision should
not be allowed to sneak in without authority,
under false cOlOrs In regulations for promotion
One result of smuggling the provision into
these regulations Is that an examination to test
fitness for the duties OF higher class than the
one occupied is also made part OF the test of fit
h,rA
performing so efficiently that he cannot be dis
charged 1t also compels an examination OF every
body, whenever vacancies occur In the next higher
class, at short intervals II vacancies are SUM-
GENTLY frequent. The whole thing is absurd II
there is a chance for promotion, let those
ambitious for an advance compete, and let
the examination be OF such a character as to
test fitness to I'LL the higher position II there are
10 be examinations to test the fitness Of clerks to
hold the positions they occupy they should not be
held irregularly, whenever sufficient vacancies
occur In higher class, and should test the capac-
ity 10 perform present duties not ability to I'LL a
higher and different place. One OF the good fea-
lures OF civil service reform was its promise OF
stability OF tenure Of office to the efficient, with
out regard TO politics This provision threatens
that stability, and is a concession to the demand
to "turn the raScals OUT though spoils-
men may still be slightly hampered by
the rules In controlling the vacated positions.
only inefficient clerks could formerly be dis
charged; the efficient may now be discharged for
failure to answer questions having 10 connection
with their duties. The power OF dismissal will be
enlarged a hundred fold. Washington will feel
the effect Of this perverslon OF the spirit of the
law. The body Of faithful and experienced clerks
will feel the old uncertainty. Not the perform
ance OF their duties, or avowedly their political
opinions, will determine the question Of office
holding, but their mastery OF the round OF human
knowledge and their acquired ability to
answer assorted conundrums. What Washington
loses, however, in the uneasiness and chaugeable
ness OF her of1ce-holding population it NAV he
expected TO gain as an educational center. When
every clerk, no matter what his age and expert.
rience, must hold himself in constant readiness To
be examined, whenever vacancies in the next
higher class furnish the occasion and must forfeit
his present position If the questions in two exam.
nations are less than three-fourths answered
universities, colleges, schools and private tutors
may De expected TO flourish here like green bay
trees, and examining be reduced to a science.